Comments on: Rich Lowry on Mike Huckabee’s “Sales Tax Lunacy” http://www.freedomtalks.org/2007/12/04/rich-lowry-on-mike-huckabees-sales-tax-lunacy/ The FreedomWorks blog dedicated to lower taxes and more freedom. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:02:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Jessica http://www.freedomtalks.org/2007/12/04/rich-lowry-on-mike-huckabees-sales-tax-lunacy/#comment-76030 Jessica Tue, 12 Feb 2008 19:32:31 +0000 http://www.freedomtalks.org/?p=1214#comment-76030 Austin Says: January 24th, 2008 at 1:50 am I’m sorry, who the hell is “President Huckabee”? Keep dreaming, he’s not gonna win it! Nobody said that repealing the current tax code wasn’t a viable option, but a tax that punishes spending is a quick way to ruin an already struggling economy. The U.S. simply isn’t a supply-based economy anymore, we are a consumer economy, and as such, for our economy to survive, we must encourage people to continue to purchase new goods and services. Raising the price tag on everything by 23% is a good way to discourage spending. If a car that once had a price tag of $50,000.00, goes up to $61,500, it becomes much less appealing. Especially considering that in the back of your mind, you know that you still have to add another 7%-8% for the real sales tax… Same thing goes for the housing mkt. Take a house that sells for $350,000.00, and add the “fair tax”, and it goes up to $430,500.00. Then add 8% for sales tax, and it now costs $458,500.00. That’s an additional $108,000 added to the mortgage. Add another 6% annually for the mortgage… The “fair tax” will bankrupt us all! Austin, with your adding the fair tax on top of the price of the house, it is obvious that you have not read the fair tax bill/book. and as far as prices dropping or not, i know that through the fair tax system, the cost of doing business for me will go down so there will be no need for me to increase my prices. also, it would not benefit me to increase my prices as my competitors would take advantage of me doing so and gain more of the market Austin Says:

January 24th, 2008 at 1:50 am
I’m sorry, who the hell is “President Huckabee”? Keep dreaming, he’s not gonna win it!

Nobody said that repealing the current tax code wasn’t a viable option, but a tax that punishes spending is a quick way to ruin an already struggling economy.

The U.S. simply isn’t a supply-based economy anymore, we are a consumer economy, and as such, for our economy to survive, we must encourage people to continue to purchase new goods and services. Raising the price tag on everything by 23% is a good way to discourage spending.

If a car that once had a price tag of $50,000.00, goes up to $61,500, it becomes much less appealing. Especially considering that in the back of your mind, you know that you still have to add another 7%-8% for the real sales tax…

Same thing goes for the housing mkt. Take a house that sells for $350,000.00, and add the “fair tax”, and it goes up to $430,500.00. Then add 8% for sales tax, and it now costs $458,500.00. That’s an additional $108,000 added to the mortgage. Add another 6% annually for the mortgage… The “fair tax” will bankrupt us all!

Austin, with your adding the fair tax on top of the price of the house, it is obvious that you have not read the fair tax bill/book. and as far as prices dropping or not, i know that through the fair tax system, the cost of doing business for me will go down so there will be no need for me to increase my prices. also, it would not benefit me to increase my prices as my competitors would take advantage of me doing so and gain more of the market

]]> By: IGNORANCE ABOUNDS http://www.freedomtalks.org/2007/12/04/rich-lowry-on-mike-huckabees-sales-tax-lunacy/#comment-75165 IGNORANCE ABOUNDS Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:17:14 +0000 http://www.freedomtalks.org/?p=1214#comment-75165 MESSAGE TO JT AND OTHERS: With all due respect to all, PLEASE study Constitutional Taxation. WHY, DOES EVERYONE WANT TO INSTITUTE A TYPE OF TAX THAT WILL TOTALLY BRING ABOUT "TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION." There is a big enough problem in Washington right now to where "WE THE PEOPLE" are not being represented. Give the government any form of taxation that IS NOT "SELF GOVERNING" by the people and "THE PEOPLE" will loose all of their freedoms. THINK ABOUT IT, PLEASE. CLICK ON THE LINK ATTACHED TO MY NAME AND BUY THIS CHEAP BOOK. I GET NOTHING OUT OF IT. MESSAGE TO JT AND OTHERS:

With all due respect to all, PLEASE study Constitutional Taxation. WHY, DOES EVERYONE WANT TO INSTITUTE A TYPE OF TAX THAT WILL TOTALLY BRING ABOUT “TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.” There is a big enough problem in Washington right now to where “WE THE PEOPLE” are not being represented. Give the government any form of taxation that IS NOT “SELF GOVERNING” by the people and “THE PEOPLE” will loose all of their freedoms. THINK ABOUT IT, PLEASE. CLICK ON THE LINK ATTACHED TO MY NAME AND BUY THIS CHEAP BOOK. I GET NOTHING OUT OF IT.

]]> By: Jim Swygard http://www.freedomtalks.org/2007/12/04/rich-lowry-on-mike-huckabees-sales-tax-lunacy/#comment-75052 Jim Swygard Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:28:11 +0000 http://www.freedomtalks.org/?p=1214#comment-75052 Rich is correct in his assumption that the fair tax will not work. After studying pros vs cons on the Fair Tax which includes Neal Boortz's book the "Fair Tax", I also find real problems with the fair tax. My reasons are as follows. 1. Workers paying less than 23% will be paying more for goods and services. 2. Rebates to non-taxpayers will create a national welfare program. 3. All eligible persons will still have to report to the government, their addresses, income, number in family, and ages just like it is with the IRS. 4. Rebate mechanisms not equal to everyone. 5. Will hurt Seniors on fixed incomes. 6. Will create political manipulation 7. Doesn't include state, local, and all other excise taxes. 8. Fair Tax penalizes young singles and families just starting out in the working world. 9. There is no guarantee that the embedded taxes of 22% will disappear and automatically lower prices the same amount. 10. Prices and wages don't adjust downward either quickly or easily. 11. For the Fair Tax to work, wages will also have to decrease 22%. 12. Massive fraud will occur cheating the government out of revenue. 13. The Fair Tax will significantly benefit the rich. 14. The economy will not flourish because people with money will cut back on spending and also not buy new homes, new boats, new RV's and new motor vehicles. 15. Like California's health care bill, administive problems will doom the Fair Tax because it will be too costly. 16. There is no guarantee that doctors and lawyers are going to lower their rates 30% as suggested in Boortz's Fair Tax book. Ex-Governor Huckabee, in his speech the night of the Florida primary, is pandering to the public. He thinks the magic words, "Would you like to see the IRS go away"? will jumpstart his campaign again. He doesn't have a prayer of winning except I thought the same of John McCain. Finally, the Fair Tax could head down the same road as the "Great Depression". If the price of goods and services decrease 22% and the wages remain the same, this plan will not work. If the Federal Reserve cuts the money supply and refuses to increase any new money supply as they did during the depression and workers refuse to cut their wages 22%, "bingo" the new depression arrives. Rich is correct in his assumption that the fair tax will not work. After studying pros vs cons on the Fair Tax which includes Neal Boortz’s book the “Fair Tax”, I also find real problems with the fair tax. My reasons are as follows.
1. Workers paying less than 23% will be paying more for goods and services.
2. Rebates to non-taxpayers will create a national welfare program.
3. All eligible persons will still have to report to the government, their addresses, income, number in family, and ages just like it is with the IRS.
4. Rebate mechanisms not equal to everyone.
5. Will hurt Seniors on fixed incomes.
6. Will create political manipulation
7. Doesn’t include state, local, and all other excise taxes.
8. Fair Tax penalizes young singles and families just starting out in the working world.
9. There is no guarantee that the embedded taxes of 22% will disappear and automatically lower prices the same amount.
10. Prices and wages don’t adjust downward either quickly or easily.
11. For the Fair Tax to work, wages will also have to decrease 22%.
12. Massive fraud will occur cheating the government out of revenue.
13. The Fair Tax will significantly benefit the rich.
14. The economy will not flourish because people with money will cut back on spending and also not buy new homes, new boats, new RV’s and new motor vehicles.
15. Like California’s health care bill, administive problems will doom the Fair Tax because it will be too costly.
16. There is no guarantee that doctors and lawyers are going to lower their rates 30% as suggested in Boortz’s Fair Tax book.

Ex-Governor Huckabee, in his speech the night of the Florida primary, is pandering to the public. He thinks the magic words, “Would you like to see the IRS go away”? will jumpstart his campaign again. He doesn’t have a prayer of winning except I thought the same of John McCain.

Finally, the Fair Tax could head down the same road as the “Great Depression”. If the price of goods and services decrease 22% and the wages remain the same, this plan will not work. If the Federal Reserve cuts the money supply and refuses to increase any new money supply as they did during the depression and workers refuse to cut their wages 22%, “bingo” the new depression arrives.

]]> By: JT in Florida http://www.freedomtalks.org/2007/12/04/rich-lowry-on-mike-huckabees-sales-tax-lunacy/#comment-74945 JT in Florida Mon, 28 Jan 2008 21:21:04 +0000 http://www.freedomtalks.org/?p=1214#comment-74945 Why not tax every dollar going through the federal reserve? The rate would be very small and you could eliminate the IRS and all state revenue departments. Solves the "cottage" trade issue of not reporting income since even all cash folks would have to buy something eventually that would be taxed. Why not tax every dollar going through the federal reserve? The rate would be very small and you could eliminate the IRS and all state revenue departments. Solves the “cottage” trade issue of not reporting income since even all cash folks would have to buy something eventually that would be taxed.

]]> By: IGNORANCE ABOUNDS http://www.freedomtalks.org/2007/12/04/rich-lowry-on-mike-huckabees-sales-tax-lunacy/#comment-74847 IGNORANCE ABOUNDS Sun, 27 Jan 2008 15:17:20 +0000 http://www.freedomtalks.org/?p=1214#comment-74847 RON PAUL fully understands the limitations on taxation that the Constitution sets forth. Although he is looked at as a nutcase, the fact is, he is the only true American on the ballot. He is very misunderstood in regards to his beliefs on moral issues. ie: He does not want a national marriage amendment that states that one man and one woman constitutes a marriage. Although he does believe that he believes that FEDERAL government should be limited as establish by the Constitution. SOOO, the point being, when the feds get involved, they have taken away rights from the states which lawfully (Constitutional Law) belong to them. LIMITED federal government with greater local government makes it much, much easier for the people to keep government under control. For those that believe in bigger federal government, please feel free to just throw this post in the trash, RIGHT ALONG WITH THE FREEDOMS THAT YOU NOW ENJOY! Why do you think so many people are moving to the U.S.A from England and other Socialist countries???? BECAUSE THEY VALUE FREEDOMS THAT WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE IN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES!!! A flat tax, consumption tax, fair tax ARE "BASICALLY" ALL THE SAME. THE SAME AS THE SOCIALISTIC COUNTRIES THAT THOSE ARE LEAVING TO MOVE TO THE U.S.A!!!!! Click under my name and learn about the one that is aware of the truth and is doing his best to correct the misguided people who cannot think for themselves that live in this country . THOSE ARE MY WORDS, NOT HIS! THE FAIRTAX WILL LEAD TO NOTHING BUT "TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION." THINK ABOUT IT!!! ONCE INSTITUTED THERE IS NO TURNING BACK. THE USA WILL ONCE AGAIN BECOME THE COUNTRY THAT OUR FOUNDING FOREFATHERS RAN FROM. THE PROBLEM IS WHERE CAN WE GO?????????????????????????????? RON PAUL fully understands the limitations on taxation that the Constitution sets forth. Although he is looked at as a nutcase, the fact is, he is the only true American on the ballot. He is very misunderstood in regards to his beliefs on moral issues. ie: He does not want a national marriage amendment that states that one man and one woman constitutes a marriage. Although he does believe that he believes that FEDERAL government should be limited as establish by the Constitution. SOOO, the point being, when the feds get involved, they have taken away rights from the states which lawfully (Constitutional Law) belong to them. LIMITED federal government with greater local government makes it much, much easier for the people to keep government under control. For those that believe in bigger federal government, please feel free to just throw this post in the trash, RIGHT ALONG WITH THE FREEDOMS THAT YOU NOW ENJOY! Why do you think so many people are moving to the U.S.A from England and other Socialist countries???? BECAUSE THEY VALUE FREEDOMS THAT WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE IN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES!!! A flat tax, consumption tax, fair tax ARE “BASICALLY” ALL THE SAME. THE SAME AS THE SOCIALISTIC COUNTRIES THAT THOSE ARE LEAVING TO MOVE TO THE U.S.A!!!!! Click under my name and learn about the one that is aware of the truth and is doing his best to correct the misguided people who cannot think for themselves that live in this country . THOSE ARE MY WORDS, NOT HIS! THE FAIRTAX WILL LEAD TO NOTHING BUT “TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.” THINK ABOUT IT!!! ONCE INSTITUTED THERE IS NO TURNING BACK. THE USA WILL ONCE AGAIN BECOME THE COUNTRY THAT OUR FOUNDING FOREFATHERS RAN FROM. THE PROBLEM IS WHERE CAN WE GO??????????????????????????????

]]> By: IGNORANCE ABOUNDS http://www.freedomtalks.org/2007/12/04/rich-lowry-on-mike-huckabees-sales-tax-lunacy/#comment-74842 IGNORANCE ABOUNDS Sun, 27 Jan 2008 14:57:41 +0000 http://www.freedomtalks.org/?p=1214#comment-74842 MESSAGE TO BRENDAN. Obviously you are a Socialist and not a Freedom Fighter. Many of the countries that you mentioned have more poor than they do wealthy. Is this not what the founding forefathers of the USA ran from??? Does not the 250 years that this country has existed and the way of life that we have verses these other countries not prove that SOCIALISM DOES NOT WORK FOR THE MASSES and that capitalism is the best form of government? Why do you want to take us back to the dark ages? MESSAGE TO JACK DUTTON: Remember that G.W. Bush had an excellent track record working WITH the DEMS in Texas. Where has he gotten as president(In re: to bringing both parties together)??? Being a governor is like being in the little leagues. The president, the house and the senate are the major leagues. GET THE MESSAGE? MESSAGE TO BRENDAN. Obviously you are a Socialist and not a Freedom Fighter. Many of the countries that you mentioned have more poor than they do wealthy. Is this not what the founding forefathers of the USA ran from??? Does not the 250 years that this country has existed and the way of life that we have verses these other countries not prove that SOCIALISM DOES NOT WORK FOR THE MASSES and that capitalism is the best form of government? Why do you want to take us back to the dark ages?

MESSAGE TO JACK DUTTON: Remember that G.W. Bush had an excellent track record working WITH the DEMS in Texas. Where has he gotten as president(In re: to bringing both parties together)??? Being a governor is like being in the little leagues. The president, the house and the senate are the major leagues. GET THE MESSAGE?

]]> By: IGNORANCE ABOUNDS http://www.freedomtalks.org/2007/12/04/rich-lowry-on-mike-huckabees-sales-tax-lunacy/#comment-74841 IGNORANCE ABOUNDS Sun, 27 Jan 2008 14:43:03 +0000 http://www.freedomtalks.org/?p=1214#comment-74841 Click on both links attached to my name and you will have a wealth of information at your disposal for learning the truth about CONSTITUTIONAL taxation and why we must get back to it. As i said before. The current income tax system IS Constitutional. The question is, WHO DOES IT ACTUALLY APPLY TO? Click on both links attached to my name and you will have a wealth of information at your disposal for learning the truth about CONSTITUTIONAL taxation and why we must get back to it. As i said before. The current income tax system IS Constitutional. The question is, WHO DOES IT ACTUALLY APPLY TO?

]]> By: IGNORANCE ABOUNDS http://www.freedomtalks.org/2007/12/04/rich-lowry-on-mike-huckabees-sales-tax-lunacy/#comment-74830 IGNORANCE ABOUNDS Sun, 27 Jan 2008 13:02:45 +0000 http://www.freedomtalks.org/?p=1214#comment-74830 With all do respect to all that believe the 16th Amendment created a new tax that was placed upon the common citizen. PLEASE DO SOME STUDY ON CONSTITUTIONAL TAXATION. This book is very easy to understand. http://ottoskinner.com/b-loophole.html. A deeper study is located at the other website listed. I AM NOT KNOCKING THE FAIRTAX. But I will tell you WITHOUT A DOUBT, it is not a Constitutional type of taxation. As much as I hate to say it, the current income tax is, HOWEVER, the big question is, WHO DOES THE CURRENT TAX SYSTEM ACTUALLY APPLY TO? I honestly can say, I get nothing out of promoting the two books above. ONLY the satisfaction of knowing that ALL who read them will come to a complete understanding of CONSTITUTIONAL TAXATION AND WHY WE MUST GET BACK TO IT. With all do respect to all that believe the 16th Amendment created a new tax that was placed upon the common citizen. PLEASE DO SOME STUDY ON CONSTITUTIONAL TAXATION. This book is very easy to understand. http://ottoskinner.com/b-loophole.html. A deeper study is located at the other website listed. I AM NOT KNOCKING THE FAIRTAX. But I will tell you WITHOUT A DOUBT, it is not a Constitutional type of taxation. As much as I hate to say it, the current income tax is, HOWEVER, the big question is, WHO DOES THE CURRENT TAX SYSTEM ACTUALLY APPLY TO? I honestly can say, I get nothing out of promoting the two books above. ONLY the satisfaction of knowing that ALL who read them will come to a complete understanding of CONSTITUTIONAL TAXATION AND WHY WE MUST GET BACK TO IT.

]]> By: Austin from Arkansas http://www.freedomtalks.org/2007/12/04/rich-lowry-on-mike-huckabees-sales-tax-lunacy/#comment-74734 Austin from Arkansas Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:21:08 +0000 http://www.freedomtalks.org/?p=1214#comment-74734 Trey, your analysis is shamefully not thought out at all. Sounds like you are letting Rush Limbaugh do your thinking for you. What Rich Lowry doesn't understand is that Huckabee did his best with the congressmen he had to work with in Arkansas, which is a very blue state. He did an incredible job as a Republican governor in a blue state, leaving the state with a surplus, and cutting taxes multiple times. If you really want a better tax system, stop tearing down the FAIR tax system or offer an alternative, clearly the status quo is not working. Think about the half a billion dollar Tax Gap that doesnt get paid because our tax codes are so ridiculously obtuse. Under the FAIR tax, it is impossible for a tax gap to even exist. Trey, your analysis is shamefully not thought out at all. Sounds like you are letting Rush Limbaugh do your thinking for you.

What Rich Lowry doesn’t understand is that Huckabee did his best with the congressmen he had to work with in Arkansas, which is a very blue state. He did an incredible job as a Republican governor in a blue state, leaving the state with a surplus, and cutting taxes multiple times.

If you really want a better tax system, stop tearing down the FAIR tax system or offer an alternative, clearly the status quo is not working. Think about the half a billion dollar Tax Gap that doesnt get paid because our tax codes are so ridiculously obtuse. Under the FAIR tax, it is impossible for a tax gap to even exist.

]]> By: Austin http://www.freedomtalks.org/2007/12/04/rich-lowry-on-mike-huckabees-sales-tax-lunacy/#comment-74625 Austin Thu, 24 Jan 2008 06:52:45 +0000 http://www.freedomtalks.org/?p=1214#comment-74625 Sorry, that was supposed to say $108,500.00 in taxes... Sorry, that was supposed to say $108,500.00 in taxes…

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